Today I purchased some equiptment from a couple who'd kept bees for a few years but whose charges died over the winter. They said the bottom of the hive was full of dead bees so I assume that the dreaded mite was the problem. They appear to have belonged to that class of keeper who did little or nothing in the way of interceeding(powdered medication late fall) and simply took 30 to 50 poundsof honey off each year. They used medium supers only(no deeps, even for brood). My concern is that this equiptment may raise the varroa count in my bees to an intolerable level before I can treat in fall. As I drove into the yard the bees descended on me and began robbing almost immediatly(fair amt of honey left in these old hives and its rained pretty solidly for the last 2 days). Is it now too late or is there some way to treat these hives. Is it possible that during the active time of summer flows that my bees will be able to resist ANYTHING that may be in those old hives and that I can assist them best by waiting until fall to treat---or should I medicate NOW(and write off the honey for this year)? Or should I burn the works!(what about my bees who've already been such industrious robbers?) ...Stuart Grant Point Roberts, WA 58 degrees F. & 49 degrees north but in The Japanese current. ********************************************************************** Though argument does not create conviction, lack of it destroys belief. What seems to be proved may not be embraced; but what no one shows the ability to defend is quickly abandoned. Rational argument does not create belief, but it maintains a climate in which belief may flourish. (Austin Farrer on C. S. Lewis.) **********************************************************************